Rotary raises money for good causes near and far

Rotary award tent at 2024 Car Show (Photo courtesy of OFL Rotary Club)

By Michelle Rosa Raybeck

You drive past the signs all the time on Ramapo Valley Road and Franklin Avenue but pay them no mind, except to off-handedly wonder: what does that blue Rotary wheel mean, anyway? Why would I want to attend a meeting on Tuesdays at 6:30? What is Rotary, anyway?

Oakland-Franklin Lakes Rotary (OFLR) is the local chapter of an international service organization founded in Chicago in 1905 – the oldest service organization in the US. Overall, Rotary is comprised of individuals – entrepreneurs, professionals, creators, etc. -- who work together and identify opportunities to raise funds directly, support the fund-raising efforts of others, or provide hands-on volunteer assistance to serve causes near and far. “We’ve had a focus on trying to be more local the past few years,” said current President Alan Margreither Jr. “We try to help the organizations that we think are doing good in the community, and to service some of the needs people bring to us at our meetings or through our network. We will fund-raise to help the organization do its work.”

From left: Joseph Russo, Ricardo Sneider, Linda Schwager, Ed Densel Jeff Bier, Dave Stolte, Rick Lepre, Alan Margreither, Patricia Carrera,

Vern Reed, Joseph Major (Photo courtesy of OFL Rotary Club)

Organized in 1950, OFLR is more visible than many realize; its members just prefer to operate in the background and not draw attention to themselves. “People don’t realize the good we do,” said Margreither, “Because none of us want to go around saying, ‘Look at all the good I’m doing.’” OFLR members do much of their fundraising through their personal networks, but certain fundraisers are highly visible in Oakland and Franklin Lakes.

For example, in March, OFLR and their student organization, Interact Club, gathered at Indian Hills High School to help fight local food insecurity. They sorted, packed and sealed bulk macaroni, dried cheese and other ingredients to create healthy, natural mac and cheese meals, they packed up and personally delivered to Ponds Church Food Pantry, the Center for Food Action in Englewood, Table to Table and the Military Veterans Assistance in Paterson. “We buy the materials from Outreach in Iowa,” Margreither said. “It’s a fun community event, and the organizations that receive the food really appreciate it. CFA wrote us a letter thanking us for the 240 meals we delivered to them.”

For example, residents are encouraged to visit OFLR’s Instagram page to find the entry form for this year’s 50/50 raffle. The drawing will take place during OFLR’s regular meeting on June 24 at Portobello, where all their regular meetings are held. “None of that money goes to us,” said incoming President Patricia Carrera. “It all goes toward our fundraisers.”

Another area where OFLR has provided critical help and asked for no recognition is with the community outreach efforts of the Oakland Police Department. “We’re the number one sponsor for the Oakland Junior Police Academy,” said Carrera. “We’re very proud to get our kids involved in the community.”

Oakland locals might not have noticed that the walking taco they purchased at last year’s Carnival was from the Rotary tent, but this year when you attend the Carnival, they’ll be there all four nights offering that street treat. “It’s an opportunity to meet people,” said Margreither. The Carnival is also an opportunity for residents looking for a way to be of service to discover Rotary.

“After that, we get involved with the Car Show, which is [Secretary] Rick Lepre’s baby,” Margreither said. “He’s been doing that since 1987.” The Car Show is traditionally held in September in the Copper Tree Mall parking lot. Last year, and again this year, the money raised from the Car Show will go to two organizations. Tunnel 2 Towers, which originally supported people who were in New York on 9/11 and later got cancer, “But lately they’ve gotten involved in other service endeavors like helping wounded veterans,” Margreither said. The Car Show also supports Mission of Honor, a service organization that provides an appropriate military funeral for unclaimed military cremains. This year’s Car Show is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Watch this newsletter for OFLR’s announcement regarding Mambo Italiano, their annual tricky-tray fundraiser held at Portobello. As with all OFLR events, “The more, the merrier,” Carrera said. “We invite the community, so we get friends and neighbors to attend.”

Students of the Ramapo-Indian Hills high school district and Franklin Avenue Middle School (for students seeking to attend private high schools) can talk to their guidance counselors about how to apply for local Rotary scholarships, which for the past couple of years have included one scholarship earmarked for a high school senior entering trade school. The amount of the scholarships varies depending on available funds, which in turn varies depending on how well OFLR’s fundraisers perform throughout the year.

“If people want to get involved, we work with different events that are near and dear to our hearts, and we often have guest speakers at our meetings to tell us about their causes,” Margreither said.

For example, Carrera recalled, last year, a speaker from Pony Power in Mahwah attended a meeting and the club decided to support that organization’s horse rescue efforts. “We look to vet the people who are asking for money so that we can ensure the money goes to the right causes,” Carrera added.